PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health Tuesday announced 242 additional presumptive confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 1315. Of those, 87 are or have been hospitalized.

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley confirmed five
additional fatalities in Philadelphia. This brings the number of
residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia to 14.

Also today, Mayor Kenney addressed last night’s shooting in
North Philadelphia of five people, including two children, in the
context of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This incident is horrible by itself,
but the fact that it comes as the impact of this virus is felt in every
neighborhood of Philadelphia is even more gut-wrenching,” said the
Mayor. “We need everyone to come together to stop gun violence at any
time, but never more so than right now. Let’s do our part for the health
professionals battling COVID-19 every day, by putting the guns down so
these brave women and men have every hospital bed, ventilator, and
resource they need to keep fighting the virus.”

The Mayor noted that Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw
has directed her officers to continue their enforcement of the City’s
“Stay at Home” Order. “This enforcement will consist of warnings — and
the officers have discretion to issue citations,” he said.

“Others can help as well. We are calling on the District
Attorney to vigorously enforce all firearm-related charges during this
time of crisis. It is imperative that we send a clear message: gun
violence will not be taken lightly. That is a message the DA can
reinforce in his Office’s handling of all such cases going forward,” the
Mayor said.